Online therapy

1. What online therapy involves

Online therapy is psychotherapy or counselling delivered when you and your practitioner are in different physical locations, usually through secure video technology approved by Resilience Psychotherapy. The therapeutic aims and professional responsibilities remain comparable to in-person work, but remote delivery creates additional practical, privacy and safety considerations.

2. Potential benefits

  • access to specialist practitioners without travel;

  • greater flexibility and continuity where appropriate;

  • ability to attend from a familiar private environment;

  • access to therapy when geography would otherwise limit choice.

3. Limitations and risks

  • internet, software, device or power failures may interrupt a session;

  • privacy may be compromised if you participate where you can be overheard or observed;

  • electronic communications and online systems cannot be guaranteed to be completely free of security risk;

  • remote work can make some aspects of risk assessment, emergency response or observation more difficult;

  • online therapy may not be clinically appropriate for every person, presentation or stage of treatment;

  • your physical location may affect whether the practitioner is permitted, insured or professionally able to provide therapy.

4. Your responsibilities

  • attend from a private and reasonably secure environment;

  • use a suitable device and reliable internet connection where possible;

  • avoid driving or undertaking another activity that compromises attention or safety during therapy;

  • tell your practitioner if another person is present or able to hear the session;

  • do not record sessions without prior express agreement;

  • provide accurate information about your physical location when requested and notify us of relevant travel or relocation;

  • provide emergency-contact information where this is reasonably required for safe online practice.

5. Technical interruption plan

If the video connection fails, your practitioner may attempt to reconnect and may use an agreed alternative contact method. If communication cannot be restored, the practitioner will use clinical judgment and the agreed arrangements to determine the appropriate next step. Online technology must not be relied upon as an emergency communication system.

6. Emergencies and crisis support

Resilience Psychotherapy is not an emergency service. Your practitioner may discuss local emergency resources and a safety plan where appropriate. If there is immediate danger, contact emergency services in the location where you are physically present.

7. Suitability and changes to delivery

Your practitioner will continue to consider whether online therapy remains clinically and professionally appropriate. A recommendation may be made for in-person, medical, psychiatric, emergency or other specialist support where your needs cannot safely or appropriately be met online.

8. Privacy and confidentiality

Your practitioner will take reasonable steps to conduct sessions from a private environment and use approved systems. You are responsible for selecting a location that reasonably protects your privacy. Confidentiality and its limits are described in Resilience Psychotherapy's separate Confidentiality & Limits of Confidentiality document and Privacy Policy.

9. Consent

I understand the nature, benefits, limitations and foreseeable risks of online therapy described above. I have had an opportunity to ask questions. I understand that I may withdraw consent to online delivery, but this may mean that Resilience Psychotherapy is unable to continue providing the service if no suitable alternative delivery arrangement is available.